Guinness World Record Attempt, Castelfidardo - Italy

by Diatonic News

On Sunday July 7th, 4.30pm, in the Piazza della Repubblica, Castelfidardo, an attempt will be made to establish a new record for the most accordions playing together. The organizers need 1,200 accordionists to attend and play ‘Happy Birthday’, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Paolo Soprani founding the accordion industry in the city in 1863.

The organisers invite all accordionists to attend in time for the record attempt, which will begin at 4.30pm precisely. The numbers attending will be flashed up in the square. If attending, car drivers should park at Porta Marina or leave the car behind the walls at Scuole Medie or take the shuttle from the Vecchio Ospedale (Old Hospital).

Cleveland's Irish Cultural Festival - USA

by Diatonic News

19-21 July 2013Cleveland's Irish Cultural Festival seeks to preserve, memorialize and document Irish History and Traditions -- from the gentle stirrings of the harp, to the boom and pomp of the pipe bands; from the soft hush of our love songs, to the thunder of Celtic dancers and rock bands. Spurred by the vision of founder John O'Brien Sr., over 300 volunteers mobilize annually to breath life into the festival. We are blessed that the culture we celebrate boasts such a wealth of tradition, music, literature, and art -- all bound together by that rich sense of community which typifies the Irish. Though difficult to adequately encapsulate, following is a brief overview of the festival and its many attractions.

Cleveland's Irish Cultural Festival is a non-profit, annual civic event, benefiting local and national charities while highlighting the many aspects of our Irish culture. Attractions include: 24 performers on nine stages, a multitude of exhibits, and myriad kiosks representing some of the finest vendors in the United States.

Traditional Accordion music, such as the polka, mazurka, jenka and waltz, played by musicians of all ages. There are separate competitions for chromatic accordions, as well as for diatonic instruments in different age groups respectively.

Viljandi Folk Music Festival - Estonia

by Diatonic News

Viljandi Folk Music Festival is held every year on the last weekend of July in Viljandi and it is one of the largest of its kind in the Baltic and Northern countries. The festival is a place where all the best musicians meet and present their contemporary renditions of traditional music. 4 days of traditional music performances on 5 outdoor and 3 indoor stages 200 performers, 100 concerts more than 20 000 visitors free green stage performances workshops film programme night university regi song nest fairytale rooms handicraft courtyard exhibition county concert

The visitors of Viljandi Folk Music Festival are cheerful and happy people who are considerate towards themselves and their surroundings and are able to fall in love and to concentrate. This is what the spirit of the festival is all about!

All Estonians are used to making a bonfire on Midsummer Eve, dance at weddings, take part in singing festivals, go door to door to sing and wish luck to people on Mardipäev and to spin humming tops on Shrove Tuesday. In addition to all of these, there are countless other personal activities which have become rituals without which we could not imagine life as we know it. But have we ever thought about why we do these things?

A large part of traditional music is strongly connected to the rituals for celebrating different holidays. Introducing the different customs for holding parties across cultures is at the heart of this year's festival. A Balkan wedding orchestra, Indian drums and dances of the Tibetan monks are only a few examples of what the festival has to offer for the guests next year.

During the next festival, wonderful music will be sounding from the speakers and the performers on the stage will show you how to party properly. Different holiday rituals of different cultures and the sounds which go with them will be introduced in greater detail in workshops and lectures. Different party dishes from different cuisines will be prepared in the Food Yard and many more events will take place which have always come part and parcel with folk music festivals.

Information: http://www.folk.ee folk@folk.ee

Cajun Fest and Arts, Crafts & Music Festival - Oklahoma/USA

by Diatonic News

July 4, 2013

The Annual Arts, Crafts, Music & Cajun Festival has proven to be successful and has become a major event in the Grand Lake area with the entire day devoted to good family entertainment. This event is hosted by Jana Jae, Grove’s own queen of country fiddle, and the non-profit organization, Grand Lake Festivals, Inc. with the assistance of the Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Fergie McDonald Tops the iTunes Charts!!, Scotland – UK

The popular 2-row diatonic button accordionist Fergie McDonald has caused a considerable surprise in Scotland by topping the iTunes ‘World Music’ chart with the song, ‘The Shinty Referee’, available as a downolad single.

For further information email: support@allcelticmusic.com

Bandoneon Classes with Norberto Vogel - Argentina

by Diatonic News

Video information below.

Norberto Vogel was born in Buenos Aires in 1972. He started studying the piano at the age of four, and later he went on to study with the greatest maestros in his country, such as Beatriz Tabares, Santiago Giacobbe, Hector Zeoli, Pedro Aguilar, taking subjects like classic piano and jazz, musical theory, harmony, counterpoint, dodecaphonism, composition, etc.

After Norberto had won a scholarship at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he continued his studies in 1991 at the famous Rubin Academy of Music & Dance, where he specialized in the piano, arrangements and composition of jazz and contemporary music, obtaining the “Bachelor degree” and “Master of Music” degrees.

Beltango Concert and Milonga, Feldkirchen – Austria

The highly accomplished quintet Beltango, from Serbia, were performing in concert on Friday June 21st at Feldkirchen, Karnten, Austria. The following day, Beltango were performing for a ‘Gran Milonga’ in Feldkirchen to popular applause.

Video above is from their performance at Aix les Bains Festival, September 2012.

Hebridean Celtic Festival - Scotland

by Diatonic News

Celebrating the 18th annual outing in 2013, HebCelt is renowned for its truly special party atmosphere, which radiates from the Castle Grounds to the outermost communities, touching hearts and minds of all it reaches.

This year, for the third year in succession, the festival was selected as one of the Top Ten UK summer festivals by revered music magazine Songlines; a fine accolade to receive and testament to this year's strong programme.

Video: Mollie B & Squeezeboxband, Minnesota - USA

Mollie B featured on Button Box and Vocal ( Last Polka ) filmed during performance at 34th Annual International Polka Festival, Carlton, Minnesota held at Black Bear Casino & Hotel. On June 2, 2012

Gooikoorts International Folkmusic Festival - Belgium

by Diatonic News

Gooikoorts is an international festival for traditional folk music which each year brings about a confrontation between traditional and contemporary folk music. The organisation not only takes care of a strong setlist, but also strives for good ambience and a homely feeling for the whole family. The festival takes the folk music lovers on a journey full of new experiences. Visitors can enjoy music from newly discovered talents and settled bands from all over Europe and beyond.

Gooikoorts wants to attract visitors who can enjoy amazing concerts and unique dance evenings, but it is also a festival for families. The relaxed musical surroundings are an ideal place to meet old friends and to make new ones. The international luthier market is a sanctuary for every folk musician and the children can have the time of their life in an outstanding children area.

During the festival several short workshops are organized. These workshops are given by some performing artists of the festival, and by experienced tutors. You can sign up during the festival at the info stand.

Information: http://www.gooikoorts.be/programma/?lang=en

Festival del'Organetto Europeo - Italia

by Diatonic News

CIVITANOVA DEL SANNIO (IS) 13-14 LUGLIO 2013

Karntnerland Harmonika Festival, Opgrimbie-Maasmechelen - Belgium

Video above: A recent video of Loui Herinx who was a guest artist at this festival.

The 9th Karntnerland Harmonika Festival took place on June 16th, at Opgrimbie-Maasmechelen.

This annual event, admission free, is dedicated to the diatonic Steirische Harmonika and to music of the Alpine regions of Europe, and is organized and sponsored by the HarmonikaShop Simon Cardinaels, Heirstraat 34, 3630 Maasmechelen.

Accordionist Renee de la Prade writes, “The Priceless Festival, July 4th-7th, is held on a campground in the town of Belden on the Feather River, in the hills east of Chico, California. I'm booked to play a noon or 1pm set on July 5th at the Beach Stage with a rockin’ drummer who can groove those funky New Orleans styles with me.

I am going to instruct the sound guy to turn my bass knob up to Mighty since they want us to bring it. I think that you have to buy tickets for the whole festival to come out for this one, however if you enjoy nature, music, and art, this needn't be an impassable roadblock”.

Renee de la Prade, of ‘Accordion Bales’ fame, leaves California in July for the ‘Whiskey & Women Europe’ tour, visiting France, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, and Canada. She will not be home until September 16th.

At 8pm, Jackie Daly and fiddle player Matt Cranich perform in concert at the same venue.

Jackie Daly, from County Cork, grew up surrounded by traditional music, and eventually became a central figure in some of the most dominant groups playing Irish music in recent times, including De Danann, Patrick Street, Buttons and Bows, Arcady, Reel Union and Kinvara.

He has toured extensively throughout the world, and is also in demand as a teacher. In 2005, he received the TG4 Gradam Ceoil (National Music Award), and, in 2009, the Kanturk Arts Festival Award.